Moscow also fuelling tensions elsewhere

Russia will continue to sow discord in Ukraine and other East European countries, the liberal daily NRC Handelsblad fears: "Moscow has menaced that it reserves the right to come to the aid of oppressed Russians and Russian-speaking minorities. And even if there has been no occasion for it to do so yet, riots and clashes with the Ukrainian special forces and any kind of provocation could easily lead to an incident that Moscow can use as a pretext for another invasion. ... The big danger is that Russia won't stop at fuelling tensions among the ethnic groups in Ukraine. ... Now the anger in other countries threatens to turn not just against the Kremlin but against their own Russian-speaking citizens. They would then have good reason to fear reprisals and persecution - and Russia would heed requests for help."